Tag Archives: cookies
Monday, July 27, 2009 08:00
Posted in Challenges, Daring Bakers 46 comments
 What can I say? It was probably one of those days… One of those days that I should have not gotten myself into the kitchen and let alone try and make corn syrup! The July Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Nicole at Sweet Tooth. She chose Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Cookies and Milan Cookies from...
Posted in Challenges, Daring Bakers
Tags: cookies, Daring Bakers, mallows, recipe, Recipes
FoodJunkie - July 27, 2009 - 08:22
Simone, these look fantastic! I am not a big fan of marshmallows either, so I don’t think I would even consider making them from scratch. But, if you ever need any ingredients, I could very easily send them over to you, espceially easy ones like baking soda! Corn syrup is glucoze syrup, I am sure you can get this in a supermarket, but then again, when I tried to bake a cake in Amsterdam, I couldn’t find powdered sugar (or icing sugar). Cream of tartar is used to help syrups not crystalize, stabilize meringue and also works as a leaven together with baking soda to make things fluffy (like baking powder). It is basically an acid (tartaric acid, derived from winemaking) and can easily be substituted with lemon juice in syrups and meringue. [Reply] 
nina - July 27, 2009 - 08:54
Well, my friend, that is exactly why I do not join the group…far too complicated for this little brain!!! If the recipes did not work for you… know that the photos are simply stunning as always!!! [Reply] 
Lisa - July 27, 2009 - 10:04
I’m so glad you let me know it was up, and wow, you did a beautiful job. Love the different color marshmallows you bought, although I’m sorry the homemade corn syrup didn’t work out for you. That said, I don’t like marshmallows either, so thank god I was able to give them away. I just enjoyed making the marshmallow..lol Also, as usual, love the photos! [Reply] 
Margreet - July 27, 2009 - 12:26
They look very tasty!! I think baking soda is the same as ‘bakpoeder’. You can buy at Albert Heijn (Backin from dr.Oetker). I’ve used it last Christmas for a pie with raspberries and pear. [Reply] 
Anula - July 27, 2009 - 13:01
I love your mallows – great colours [Reply] 
Cheryl - July 27, 2009 - 13:01
You may have had trouble, however your Mallows look amazing! I am envious as I have had no time this summer to participate in the Daring Bakers. Have you look in the cleaning section of your stores for Baking Soda? In the US it is sold with other cleaning agents in boxes, it says great for removing odors in carpet and fabric, and you can cook with it! Good luck and congratulations, your look amazing! [Reply] 
Olga - July 27, 2009 - 15:41
ooh, we did different things this time!!!! [Reply] 
isa - July 27, 2009 - 15:44
Love the different color you made and I’m sorry the homemade corn syrup didn’t work out for you. I’m not a big fan of marshmallows either. Your Mallows cookies looks absolutely delicious and they came out very well. Nice job! [Reply] 
jo - July 27, 2009 - 15:45
Oh wow, I love your mallows. They look absolutely gorgeous and delicious. The picture of the stacked mallows is fantastic. [Reply] 
Valérie - July 27, 2009 - 15:56
I’m sorry things didn’t go perfectly smoothly, but they still look wonderful! I had a lot of problems with my cookies as well, including the chocolate coating (mine wouldn’t harden, to I had to put the cookies in the fridge, and of course they stuck to the plate and I hed to pry them off). I also had to turn my mallows around in the chocolate to cover them completely (even though I used a narrow ramekin). I can’t speak for the Netherlands, but I know baking soda (“bicarbonate de soude” in French, if you’re ever in Belgium) can be found. But it’s not always used for baking, it’s also a cleaning/desodorizing product, so maybe it’s stored in a different aisle in the supermarket? Anyways, you should be proud of yourself for trying this challenge, and even prouder that the result came out so nice! Bravo! [Reply]  Simone (junglefrog) Reply: See, I never thought of checking in the cleaning section… but good tip! I will for sure check it out… I even might know what I need now that I think of it. We used to have that kind of stuff in the house when I was little… I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s it! [Reply] 
Sophie - July 27, 2009 - 18:32
Waw!! Fantastic yummie treats for us to savour!! I didn’t join the group for reasons as these,…You did an outstanding job, Simone! Yummie yum! Excellent pictures too! [Reply] Simone (junglefrog) Reply: O come on Sophie, I am sure you would do fine in the Daring Bakers!! It’s not so scary as you might think. I am just not the best baker that is all! [Reply] 
Hannah - July 27, 2009 - 19:44
Love those colors! And no matter what you say, they look pretty darned perfect if you ask me. [Reply] 
rose - July 27, 2009 - 20:04
Oh my!!!! Nicely done – can’t even tell you had to chop them off the cake rack! HAHAH! [Reply] 
MandyM - July 27, 2009 - 22:28
Your cookie base looks to have turned out fine even without the bicarb, did you add extra baking powder? But you’re right, it’ll be a good idea to find a source of Bicarb, it’s in a lot of baked goods so always handy to have around Your Mallows look lovely, even with all the hiccups (I also made the mistake of letting some of my mallows drip dry on a cooling rack!) [Reply] 
Lauren - July 27, 2009 - 22:37
Beautiful job!! I love the colours or your marshmallows – Yum!! [Reply] 
lisaiscooking - July 27, 2009 - 22:48
Too bad about the sticking! They look delicious though and definitely worth the effort. [Reply] 
Hilary - July 27, 2009 - 23:15
Oh dear, it does seem like you had a few challenges this month! The cookies look great, though – that first photo is beautiful. I had to do quite a bit of research until I found out how to judge if my syrup was at the soft ball stage – luckily I have a terrific baking book that lists all the different ‘stages’ of cooking sugar, with descriptions of how to tell when you’re at each stage. [Reply] 
Julie - July 28, 2009 - 02:11
The cookies and photos are lovely despite your struggles! Mine stuck a bit to my cooling rack, too, but thankfully I hadn’t refrigerated and could just “snap” them off. Yikes! [Reply] 
Rachel - July 28, 2009 - 02:35
They look delicious! As always, your photography is beautiful! [Reply] 
Ivonne - July 28, 2009 - 03:55
Oooh! Look at that chocolate just dripping off that fork. Lovely pics! [Reply] 
Coco Bean - July 28, 2009 - 04:35
Yep, Valerie is right, you might find the Baking Soda in another isle. Here in Canada it is found in the cleaning isle because we use it as an air deodorizer in the fridge. It would be sad if you had to order it on line because it’s like 99 cents here. Make a list and I will send you some stuff from Canada! Including some pure maple syrup! I understand your anger over certain steps in this recipe, I also thought it would be easy but I didn’t even make it past the cookie part! But you did it and they look fabulous, thats what counts right! [Reply] 
Nutmeg Nanny - July 28, 2009 - 04:40
Great job with the challenge! These look super delicious!!! [Reply] 
sabiilaa - July 28, 2009 - 09:11
oh wow! beautiful mallows and love the color, great photos! [Reply] 
Sue - July 28, 2009 - 10:33
Looks like the results were worth the hassle! Your cookies looks soooo good!!! Love all the colors too! Great photos:) [Reply] 
Ben - July 28, 2009 - 14:48
They do look gorgeous, even if you had a hard time making them. And yes, I agree. Sometimes is better not to even look into the kitchen :-p [Reply] 
Esi - July 28, 2009 - 23:17
I think I am going to make the milanos instead. That said, despite your troubles, they turned out really nice looking. [Reply] 
Soma - July 29, 2009 - 00:21
Unlike a lot of adults, I love marshmallows. trouble? sometimes they do bring pretty things, like these ones here;-) looks wonderful. [Reply] 
deeba - July 29, 2009 - 05:45
Perfect & very pretty Mallows. I did a jig when I read ‘Cream of Tartar’ coz I’ve had a little box for ages & didn’t know what to do with it…LOL! I’m envious of all the colours you got Simone…gorgeous! I fell in ♥ with the Mallows when I made them, & was impressed that a cookie as delicious can be made at home! [Reply] 
Missy - July 29, 2009 - 15:30
Your mallows look so pretty! Too pretty to be eaten. I have given you an award on my blog do check it out [Reply] 
anncoo - July 29, 2009 - 15:50
This is my first time here. Nice blog and beautiful pictures. will visit often. [Reply] 
lo - July 30, 2009 - 05:41
Oh! They’re so pretty in their little pastel outfits! Almost a shame to cover them with chocolate… but I’ll bet they were delicious. Not a huge marshmallow fan, but I’m intrigued. [Reply] 
gine - July 30, 2009 - 08:54
hi simone, long time no see ^^ !! oh … I totally love the colored marshmallows on the cookie (still without the chocolate) ^^ … looks so like summer ^^ … lovely pictures!!! XOXO [Reply] 
Jill - July 30, 2009 - 20:31
I love the colors you used for your marshmallows–great pictures and I enjoyed reading about your experiences in making them. Good job! [Reply] 
Tartelette - July 30, 2009 - 20:56
In most European countries, you can find baking soda at the pharmacist (bicarbonate de soude in French but might give you name roots to find the right equivalent). [Reply] 
Peter - July 30, 2009 - 22:02
Your mallows are drippingly decadent and oh so tasty looking. Kudos to your fab photos! [Reply] 
jamie - July 31, 2009 - 19:07
Love the dripping chocolate shot. Your mallows look great, I loved making these! [Reply] 
Cheesewench - August 4, 2009 - 01:10
Those look soo good. As a kid in New York City my favorite cookies were Mallomars. It looks like a very good replication of one of my favorite childhood treats! I got the care package this weekend. Stroopwaffels are delicious! I Dunked them in coffee from my favorite coffee place in Chicago, and they made my morning! Thank you for the candies also. Very tasty. I’ll do a post on your goodies when I come back from the cheese conference. I think I’m going to make some ice cream for the jimmies. [Reply]
Sunday, July 12, 2009 12:29
Posted in Desserts & other sweets, Food and Drink, Recipes 29 comments
 Whoohoo!! Ofcourse I could not resist making another batch of macarons yesterday as I really wanted it to work better then the first attempt. I had received full instructions from Helen via an article she had written previously for dessert magazine (look on page 38) and following those… I got the above results! The whole...
Posted in Desserts & other sweets, Food and Drink, Recipes
Tags: cookies, food, macarons
29 comments
Sophie - July 12, 2009 - 13:50
OOOOOh,…For your second attempt: they so worked out well! They look so georgous! [Reply] 
Peter G - July 12, 2009 - 14:12
Congratulations Simone! I plan on using a recipe based on the French version too. They look absolutely delicious! [Reply]
Tartelette - July 12, 2009 - 14:53
Bravo! Tell your friend that only two attempts is a very good thing!! They turned out so cute! Well done! They look like the perfect size by the way. Well at least the ones like I get in my town back home! [Reply]
nina - July 12, 2009 - 15:02
You have conquered a fear that I have had for years now!!!! I am somehow threatened by these little buggers!!! Well done!! [Reply] 
Hermin - July 12, 2009 - 17:29
Chocolate fill!!!!!!!!!!These are the ones I must try…Geweldig, beautiful pink with dark brown..when is the tasting session???? XX [Reply] Simone (junglefrog) Reply: Haha… just let me know and I will make new ones (these are all finished… [Reply]
Hannah - July 12, 2009 - 18:45
WOW! I the difference between the first batch and this one is like night and day. I can’t believe how much you improved; These are PERFECT, and absolutely stunning! [Reply]
Nutmeg Nanny - July 12, 2009 - 18:49
They turned out great! I’m glad you didn’t give up:) I actually really like the vibrant color of the cookies. It makes me wish I had some!!!:) [Reply]
Coco Bean - July 12, 2009 - 19:02
Yay! They look perfect! I’m so proud of you! Here in Quebec they put just a little bit of filling in the middle, just to keep the two pieces together. Maybe that is the trick, who cares, they look amazing! [Reply]
Valérie - July 12, 2009 - 22:37
Oh, Simone, they are gorgeous! You did a seriously incredible job! Looks like you’ll soon be giving out tips and advice to the rest of us! [Reply]
Esi - July 13, 2009 - 04:22
They look fantastic! I used the same recipe after my first attempt failed. Lovely job. [Reply] 
mycookinghut - July 13, 2009 - 13:52
I haven’t tried making macarons yet.. which I have been wanting to do for quite some time.. [Reply] 
Angela@spinachtiger - July 13, 2009 - 14:01
Now you have me so intrigued. I have to make them. TO be honest, I never heard of maracons until I started food blogging and I thought I knew food. You did a simply OUTSTANDING job. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for doing them twice. It was the push I needed! [Reply]
Olga - July 13, 2009 - 19:59
Karine - July 14, 2009 - 05:33
I love the pink color of these macarons!!! And they look sssooooo good! [Reply] 
Rosie - July 14, 2009 - 13:15
Congratulations Simone I am SO pleased to see you conquered this bake. Your macarons look gorgeous!! [Reply] 
devona - July 14, 2009 - 17:46
Congrats on a successful 2nd attempt. These just happen to be on my “To Bake List”, so I can’t wait to try them. [Reply] 
Audax Artifex - July 18, 2009 - 18:07
How strange I have just finished my first and 2nd attempts that these lovely desserts. Wow what an improvement these are great your research has paid off. It is a very satifying feeling to be able to pull these off. Congrats I had a big jump also between my first and 2nd batch and mainly for the same reason as you – not enough heat. Glad to hear that you liked your results. Very impressed. Cheers Audax in Australia. O I just draw circles on the parchment paper the correct size and then pipe to it. Yours [Reply] Simone (junglefrog) Reply: Fantastic idea on the circles Audax! I didn’t think about that but yes, that will make life so much easier. Will definitely be doing that next as well! [Reply]
Audax Artifex - July 18, 2009 - 18:17
Just read your post on my blog very strange exactly the same timing and thanks for the nice comments I will be doing some more soon but I want to try some ‘way out’ flavours like goat’s cheese with walnut/almond meal and cranberry filling and one with smoked salmon and cream cheese. And I like the idea of vegemite and cheese. Yours Audax very odd our timing. [Reply]
Audax Artifex - July 18, 2009 - 18:18
I’m sure we were visiting each other’s blog at exactly the same time!!!! Great minds think and act alike as they say. Aduax [Reply]
FoodJunkie - July 20, 2009 - 15:05
Your macarons look fantastic! I agree that the french meringue method is much easier than the italian, although the italian gives that macaron texture much better. [Reply]  Ever since I tasted the very first macaron in my life at Laduree in Paris, I’m hooked… I love the texture of these phenomenal cookies and the taste is just well…. to die for! Last year I was in France with a friend and we found this little bakery in Dijon where they had macarons,...
Posted in Food and Drink
Tags: baking, cookies, failed, macarons
18 comments 
cherie - July 8, 2009 - 19:22
Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it sooner than later. It took me a while, but it’s all worth it. [Reply]
nina - July 8, 2009 - 19:44
I so want to try this, but the fear of failure freaks me out totally!!!I am proud of you for trying!!! [Reply]
rose - July 8, 2009 - 19:47
Congrats on attempting them! You can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I look forward to your successful post! =) [Reply]
Valérie - July 8, 2009 - 20:14
They honestly don’t look so bad! I know you probably used the nicest ones for the pictures, but really, it’s very good for a first attempt! Learning what the right texture of the batter is is the most difficult aspect, in my opinion: I still get it wrong often. I have made macarons with both French and Italian meringue (separately, of course), and it seemed like I got better results with the Italian version, so I stuck with it. But I know that a lot of macaron experts use French meringue with great success, so I think I will give that another try next time. Or, I’ll see how it works out for you. I don’t think I’ve ever managed to get my macarons to be all the same size. And I’m a disaster with a pastry bag, so most of the time I just spoon the discs onto the baking sheet… which leads to very homemade-looking macarons. Regarding the baking, I’ve always baked them at 180 degrees, for 8-10 minutes. And here’s a really useful tip for prying them off: line the baking sheets with parchment paper, and after the baking is done, take the paper off (with the macarons on it) and place it on a slightly wet surface. They will come off much more easily. Sorry if I’m offering redundant or unwanted advice: I just have a passion for these little cookies, even though they can be a real pain to make! But you’re off to a really good start, and I can’t wait to see your next attempt! [Reply] Simone (junglefrog) Reply: Thanks Valerie for all the advice (and believe me I can use all the advice I can get, so feel free to share!) I’m just gonna use the french method for next time and see how that goes. [Reply]
Peter G - July 9, 2009 - 06:16
Sorry to hear about your macaron misfortune Simone. I’m curious to see how your French meringue ones turn out as I’m planning to do some next week. Good luck! [Reply]
Sophie - July 9, 2009 - 10:03
I do think that your macarons look lovely for the first attempt! Good luck for the next ones! I would realy wanted to taste the first batch! [Reply] 
Christelle - July 9, 2009 - 18:08
Have a look at the blog called ‘la cuisine de Mercotte’, she’s a specialist, she even wrote books about it, and she gives great advices in her blog. I know they were a mess but I like the look of your meringues [Reply]
Rosie - July 9, 2009 - 21:45
Macarons are a difficult bake to master and if i’m honest Simone you’ve done a great job for your first attempt! [Reply]
Coco Bean - July 10, 2009 - 04:52
But you tried! Don’t you get points for trying?? It’s more than I have done. I do have about ten egg whites in the fridge right now just waiting to be made into something good. I’m still too afraid to try. He he! [Reply] 
Olga - July 10, 2009 - 16:56
ooh, you are so brave! i just keep on talking about trying these, and not doing anything about it. Gorgeous pink color!!! [Reply] 
Simone (junglefrog) - July 10, 2009 - 17:31
Thanks guys, you’re all just too kind… [Reply]
Nutmeg Nanny - July 10, 2009 - 17:49
You are so daring! I’m glad you are not going to give up:) [Reply]
lisaiscooking - July 11, 2009 - 17:32
Don’t give up! I bought a cookbook years ago for the macarons recipe, and I still haven’t attempted it. I live in fear of it. One of these days though. Looks like some of them turned out great! [Reply] 
pigpigscorner - July 14, 2009 - 21:52
That was what happened to mine! I’ve yet to try this again. [Reply]
Audax Artifex - July 18, 2009 - 17:55
This is very weird I just finished my first batch of macarons using Helen of Tartelette recipe (using the French method)!!! It seems that macarons seems to make most people afraid very afraid and I was a little fearful also. Good soild effort on you first attempt. Will go over to your 2nd attempt and see how it went. Yours Audax [Reply]
Wednesday, April 1, 2009 07:50
Posted in Challenges, Food and Drink 18 comments
 Just a few days ago I stumbled upon the website of Sweet and Simple Bakes where I read about their monthly baking challenge. Now I love challenges as it gives me a reason to bake something that I maybe otherwise wouldn’t have attempted to do and this particular challenge brought back fond memories of the...
Posted in Challenges, Food and Drink
Tags: cookie, cookies, oatmeal cookie, sweet and simple bakes
18 comments
Peter G - April 1, 2009 - 09:42
These look wonderful Simone…good to see you are challenging yourself with different ingredients and recipes! [Reply] 
Culinary Wannabe - April 1, 2009 - 11:49
Oatmeal raisin are some of my favorite cookies as well. You should keep trying other recipes to see if you like them more, because I’m sure you will find one you can’t live without! [Reply] 
Maria - April 1, 2009 - 12:42
Hi Simone Welcome to Sweet and Simple Bakes, so glad you found us! Your cookies turned out lovely and these are definitely a favourite in my home too. Thanks for taking part and hope you will join us again. Maria [Reply]
Rosie - April 1, 2009 - 16:05
Hi Simone, a warm welcome to Sweet & Simple Bakes So glad you joined us Your cookies look divine and my family loved these cookies too! Thanks so much for taking part this month at S&SB and I do hope you will join us again next month. Rosie x [Reply] 
missmallory - April 1, 2009 - 20:58
You have an incredible site here, I really love it! Gorgeous photographs, clean look, very pretty! This was definitely a fun challenge, cookies are one of my favorite desserts, so I had a lot of fun with this. Again, great site, I’ll definitely be visiting soon! Thanks [Reply]
Coco Bean - April 1, 2009 - 21:06
Wow, I thought oatmeal cookies were a staple everywhere. I am so sick of them because they sell those large tasteless ones everywhere in Canada. That being said, I still love bitting into a freshly made oatmeal cookie. I have a friend that ONLY bakes “oatmeal cookies” and he does it atleast twice a week. [Reply] Simone (junglefrog) Reply: Glad to hear you liked the mango salad Christie! Which reminds me that I need to make it again also… the fabulous weather here today makes me long for lighter food! [Reply] 
Arundathi - April 2, 2009 - 02:26
The cookies look wonderful. So glad I could discover your blog through S&SB. You have a lovely blog here! [Reply] 
foodbin - April 2, 2009 - 08:22
a good afternoon snack with a cup of tea or coffee sitting on the verandah. [Reply] 
katie - April 2, 2009 - 21:14
wow! Look at those bite sized treats! Yum!! Thanks for the comment, It’s the American butter measurements that throw me. Tablespoons of butter? I don’t understand!!! Katie xox [Reply]
Hannah - April 3, 2009 - 00:00
Oh how wonderful, these look so comforting and delicious! I love how bright and dreamy these pictures are. [Reply] 
Brownie Power - April 21, 2009 - 02:38
I love Oatmeal raisin cookies. Thanks for the great recipe! [Reply]
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 23:05
Posted in Current Affairs, Desserts & other sweets, Food and Drink, Photography, Recipes 2 comments
 It’s been a while since I last posted and actually right now we were supposed to be in France. I will spare you the details, but Tom was admitted to the hospital in a hurry thursday last week. Scared the shit out of me, so to speak, but it looks like all will be ok....
Posted in Current Affairs, Desserts & other sweets, Food and Drink, Photography, Recipes
Tags: baking, cookies, Photography, pudding, Recipes, summerpudding
2 comments 
Nate - August 30, 2008 - 01:24
I like how there’s a surprise of whole fruit inside the “cake”. [Reply]
Simone van den Berg - August 30, 2008 - 08:39
To be honest the recipe did call for taking the pips out, but I haven’t done that as I figured I eat the fruit with the pips so why bother…? I do think it would have made the process of dipping the bread in the puree easier if I had done it. You can use a seave to get the pips out. Just rub it through a fine seave. Ok, I don’t know the word as it turns out… It’s a kitchen aid which you also use to drain vegetables for instance. Not a collander but with smaller holes…:) Sorry, can’t seem to find the proper english word! [Reply] |
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As always – you did a great job! Cheers.
46 comments